Region 3 Wins Team Gold at 2025 North American Junior Riders Championships

Shows

2025 North American Youth Championships

The Region 3 junior riders team captured the gold medal in the opening competition of the 2025 North American Youth Championships at Flintfields Horse Park in Traverse City, MI, on 30 July 2025.

The 2025 North American Youth Championships (NAYC) kicked off with the Junior Team Championship, as well as the warm-up class for the inaugural Children division - the Preliminary Test B. With only five entries in the Under 25 the Intermediate II did not count for a team championship.

The United States Dressage Federation works with "regions" that cover a certain amount of states. Region 3 covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. Region 1 encompasses the Mid‑Atlantic and adjacent eastern areas, Region 5 covers Arizona, Colorado, Eastern Montana, New Mexico, West Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Region 7 is California, Nevada, Hawaii, while Region 9 includes most of Texas and some Mid-Western states.

Region 3 Goes for Gold

Region 3 took the top honours in the Junior Team Test, with strong efforts from all four team riders. The team posted a combined score of 201.242 to finish in gold medal position ahead of Region 7/9, who earned a combined score of 194.758, taking home silver. Region 1/5 rounded out the podium in bronze position with 193.789.

Eila Fisk (Aiken, S.C.) and Quaresma, a 2016 Oldenburg gelding (by Quatensprung x Furstenball), owned by Gina Fisk, delivered the team’s top score of the day, earning 68.606% for a confident and expressive test where they earned high marks from the judges for their collected canter and trot work.

“Quaresma has taught me so much,” said Fisk, “He has such a great build. I can feel everything he is doing, and I’ve learned so much about biomechanics from him. I am so proud of how we’ve moved up the levels. He has so much talent, the best collection, and he’s so willing. It’s just the best feeling.”

Also contributing solid efforts to the team total were Lark Heckman (Ocala, Fla.) and Franzissimo, her own 2015 Oldenburg gelding (by Franziskus x Belissimo M), who finished second with 67.091%. Lauren Polk (Atlanta, Ga.) placed 6th with Donauwelle P, a 2013 Hanoverian gelding (by Don Frederico x Wolkentanz I) on a score of 65.545%. The drop score was 63.788% which put Alexis Troutman (Gainesville, Ga.) aboard her 8-year old KWPN bred Mondo L (by Don Tango B x Zildonja) into 15th place.

“I’ve had Franzissimo for about a year, which is also when I started competing in dressage,” said Heckman, who finished with the second-highest score of the competition on 67.09%. “He was ready to do everything and was with me throughout the test. It was like he was saying ‘I’ve got you, you don’t have to worry.’ He was so good and I’m proud of him.”

Merged Regions on the Podium

Riders from Region 7 and 9 were merged to form a team and ended up on the silver medal step of the podium. Their team anchor was MK Connatser aboard the 16-year old Danish bred Hanoverian Schnell's Highlight (by Hotline x Rotspon). She finished fifth with 65.788%. Mia Folk and her 18-year old Trakehner Gezario (by Cadeau x Anduc) was not far off in 7th place with 65.091%. The third score was 63.879% posted by Sage Chacon aboard the 20-year old KWPN Apfelkorn (by Sandreo x Goodtimes). Sage Smith landed 20th place on Journey C (by Lord Leatherdale x Metall) with 58.151%.

The team bronze medal went to the merged teams of Region 1 and 5 with Catherine Burlew leading their effort to the bronze medal step of the podium. She was the team high scorer with 66.697% aboard her 11-year old Danish bred Hojgaardens Scirocco (by Tailormade Temptaion x Akinos). That score ranked her fourth in the class. Bailey Ambrecht and the 7-year old American bred KWPN registered Night'n Dale (by Escudo K x Kevekko) finished 10th with 64.849%, while third rider Marley McCourt finished 17th aboard the 13-year old KWPN bred Hide D4K (by Andretti x Tango) on 62.243%.

Inaugural Children Division

The inaugural Children’s division at the North American Youth Championships marked a historic milestone on Wednesday as competitors took to the arena for the Children Preliminary Test B. Leading the way was Grace Christianson (Noblesville, Ind.) and her own FHF Roulee, a 2014 American Warmblood mare (Routinier x Cottonwood Flame). The pair delivered a standout performance, earning an impressive 75.679% to claim the first-ever children’s individual win at NAYC. The judges rewarded their test with high marks for their thoroughness and relaxation in the ring, reflecting the strength of their partnership.

“She’s a superstar,” said Christianson of her mare. “If I show up, she shows up. Competing in the new Children’s division has been so much fun. I’ve made so many new friends this week, and I feel really honored to have the opportunity to compete alongside my peers here at NAYC.”

Canada’s Gwendolyn Joinson and the 11-year old Westfalian bred Blind Date AT (by Belissimo M x Hotline) earned a personal best score of 71.560% to finish second, while Claire Barahona (Midlothian, Va.) rounded out the top three aboard Morisco HGF, a 2013 PRE gelding (Camaron IX x Idilio II) owned by Amanda Barahona, with a score of 71.096%.

Under 25 Kicks Off

The U25 division took center stage on Wednesday afternoon with five combinations contesting the Intermediate II test. Haley Smith (San Diego, Calif.) and Great Lady TC, a 2011 KWPN mare (Bretton Woods x Osmium) delivered a poised and confident test that earned them a personal best score of 67.304%.

Known as “GG” in the barn, Great Lady TC has been a standout partner for Smith. “She’s really a once-in-a-lifetime horse,” said Smith. “She’s not just a teammate; she’s my best friend. She gives me confidence, and I hope I return that to her every time we step into the ring. I just want to continue showing the world our harmonious partnership. I owe everything to GG. She’s incredible.”

Reflecting on their performance and the atmosphere, Smith added, “The test felt amazing. I could feel the energy and support from US Equestrian and USA Dressage behind us. NAYC is such an incredible competition, and I feel truly inspired to be here among the top youth athletes in both dressage and jumping.”

Second place went to Alicia Berger (Wellington, Fla.) aboard Aqua Marin, her own 2011 Oldenburg gelding (Ampere x Stedinger), who finished their test with a score of 66.275%. Rounding out the top three was Sophia Shults (Ocala, Fla.) and Conocido HGF, her own 2012 PRE gelding (Cosaco XI x Idilio II) who also earned a new personal best score of 65.980%.

The Intermediaire II test is normally the "Team Championship" class for the U25 division but as there were not enough riders for a team competition, the top three was gifted a USEF (not FEI) medal for their place instead, even though it is not officially an FEI individual medal earning class.